The Cholesterol-Friendly Grocery List

Forget your former throw-whatever-looks-good-into-the-cart approach and bring this list next time you head to the supermarket. Stocking your pantry with these heart healthy choices will set you up for cholesterol-success.

For the cupboard

Canned beans, such as black, white, pinto, garbanzo, and kidney.*

Dried fruits, such as figs, raisins, prunes, apricots, and dates.

Whole wheat flour for baking.

Apple sauce for baking.*

A good bottle of virgin or extra virgin olive oil.

Canola oil.

Canned salmon and water-packed tuna.*

Canned clams.*

Canned sardines.*

Canned fruit packed in its own juices or in light syrup.*

Quick-cooking or old-fashioned oatmeal, but not the instant kind.

Whole grain mix for pancakes and waffles.

Cans of chopped tomatoes flavored with herbs, onions, or garlic for tossing with pasta.*

Peanut butter (the natural kind, made without hydrogenated oil or added sugar).*

Jarred artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, and flavorful spreads, all of which can add pizzazz to pasta, rice, couscous, or other grains.*

*Refrigerate after opening

For the fridge

Low-fat mayonnaise.

Hard, flavorful cheeses like Romano or Parmesan.

A sterol-based spread such as Benecol or Take Control, or a margarine free of trans fats (such as Smart Balance).